Monday, January 11, 2010

I think it's, truly, the greatest compliment to hear someone say "I admire you." "I am really inspired by you." "How do you do what you do?" "I wish I could be more like you."

It makes my heart swell a little. It makes me more than proud. And without seeming, well a bit conceited, it makes me want to scream - I KNOW!!!

NO, I am not talking about ME...silly....I'm talking about my husband.

You see, I truly admire him. I look up to him. I am inspired by him.

I have been ever since becoming his girl at 15. I have always been there. Watching him. Supporting him. Cheering him on. AND he in turn has given me a wonderful life that includes three wonderful sons that are following in his footsteps. Three sons that are inspired by him. Admire him. Look up to him. AND love him just as much as I do.

He has worked so very hard to follow his dreams. To get to where he is today. AND still has so many more goals he wants to accomplish. He has never given up. Never thrown in the towel. He has always been strong and sacrificed so much to keep moving ahead.

I remember, as a very young wife, telling my mother "he is just SO driven, I'm not sure he'll ever just stop and be happy." Today, at 41 years of age and 24+ years of marriage, I can't believe I was EVER concerned about having such a driven soul-mate.

Why am I typing this today? Well, while I was un-packing those boxes mentioned in my last post, I found a little journal from Dec 1991. There were NO blogs then. Only little books of paper with not-so-strong locks on them. Papers with written words, that when read this weekend made me cry.

So many memories. So long ago. Such sacrifices. Such chaos. Such hope for the future. Hope for a future with more money. Less bills. More time to spend with our little boys - there were only two then. Wishes for our future in Washington. Plans to move forward into the unknown.

Those were scary times. Tough times. But, we always had faith in US. In our little family of four. There was always lots of LOVE and lots of TRUST.

I love you, Phillip.

Happy EVERYDAY!!!

Your best friend,

Me

**photo: Us in Spring 1987. Pre-kiddos - well, actually, we just found out we were expecting....

2 comments:

Many women say they have the "best" husband. I am so happy when I hear that because, truly, to feel that way is what it's all about!

There are so many others stuck in unhappy or un-fulfilling relationships and just going through the motions.

We were so very young when we got married in 1985 - 17 & 18! No baby, just in true love and we still are. I wish every woman (and man) a chance to find their best friend to share their life with. Life's too short not to.

Welcome.

I'm just a country girl, having the time of her life, treasure hunting daily, seeing the good in all things that others might consider worthless. I love creating mixed media artwork and home décor items using found objects...and I've just recently started dabbling in wearable art jewelry. Many of my fixed-up finds have been published in a number of magazines and have won accolades. But my life spent in Southern Oregon, with my family and friends, is the MOST important to me. Without their support and encouragement, I might just be another hoarder! LOL I'm enjoying meeting like-minded persons and sharing ideas, dreams, and experiences...and hope to have the studio open to the public someday soon.

Artist Bio

Tina Schiefer works and lives in Southern Oregon, where she and her husband own and operate a themed fabrication company serving the entertainment industry, E.B. Effects and Design. She is the proud mother of three grown sons; is a themed media, assemblage artist using primarily found objects and cast-offs; and will soon be hosting and teaching mixed media, jewelry, and home décor related workshops in her new studio, The Rusty Monkey. She is enjoying meeting other artists with like minds and sharing the adventure! She was an ICE Resin Creative Team Member 2011-2012. Many of her creations can be seen in a variety of magazines such as Somerset Home, Somerset Gallery, Art Doll Quarterly, Somerset Memories, Mingle, Somerset Life, Belle Armoire Jewelry and Jewelry Affaire, and on the spring issue of Create & Decorate. Most recently, one of her assemblages, Folly - a parasol, won 2nd place in the Spellbinders Explore Beyond - Craft to Win contest.